WE ARE CTA

325,000 MEMBERS STRONG

February 03, 2014

CTA Votes to Support Re-election of Tom Torlakson as State Schools Chief and Jerry Brown for Governor

Contact: Claudia Briggs at 916-352-1550 or Mike Myslinski at 650-552-5324

Recommendations also made in constitutional and legislative races

The top governing body of the 325,000-member California Teachers Association has voted to support State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson in his bid for re-election and Gov. Jerry Brown in his bid this November, in addition to candidates for other statewide constitutional offices and legislative races.

“Superintendent Torlakson is a passionate educator and leader who shares our values and passion as we educate California’s students. He has always been a strong advocate for increasing state resources in support of K-14 education and has been a sponsor and supporter for reforms that work, like the Quality Education Investment Act. We look forward to continue working with the Superintendent as our schools begin to heal after years of devastating cuts,” said CTA President Dean E. Vogel.

Torlakson began his career as a science teacher in the Mount Diablo Unified School District (where he remains a teacher on leave) and served in California’s state Assembly and Senate before becoming state schools’ chief in 2010.

In addressing the recommendation of Gov. Jerry Brown, Vogel said, “We are grateful to Gov. Brown for his commitment to California’s public schools and colleges, and to responsibly navigating this state through some rough waters. During his entire term of office, the governor has made California’s students a priority and our schools are in better shape for it. Thanks to his leadership in proposing Proposition 30 and our work together, each and every student will now have a better chance at a well-rounded education.”

In its quarterly meeting in Los Angeles, CTA’s 800-member State Council of Education also voted to support the re-election of Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom; state Attorney General Kamala Harris; Commissioner of Insurance Dave Jones; Controller John Chiang who is a candidate for state Treasurer; and Assembly Speaker John Perez who is running for state Controller.